Smile Away with Bryan Estepa
Australian singer, songwriter and musician Bryan Estepa has just released his brand new album ‘I See It Now’, an album that was recorded both in Sydney & Spain, and features a songs that make you feel something right to your core. We caught up with Bryan to ask him about the new album, his creative process and what it’s like to record across two countries.
For those that haven’t heard your music before, how do you describe your sound?
It’s always a tricky road narrowing down my ‘sound’. But it’s mostly rooted on your classic singer- songwriter domain with a very healthy dose of guitar pop!
Bryan, you have just released your new album 'I See It Now', how is the new album being received?
I’ve been very happy with how the record has been received so far. From the production, performance and artwork side of things, the response and reaction to it has been overwhelmingly positive. But mostly pleased that people making connections with each song in their own way. That’s probably the biggest compliment you can give any songwriter. Having people not just connect to something that so inherently personal to you but also have their own interpretation of it is a wonderful thing,
“I was inadvertently or even semi-consciously answering all the questions and uncertainty I had brewing on ‘Sometimes I Just Don’t Know’.”
Is 'I See It Now' a continuation from your last album 'Sometimes I Just Don't Know' or an evolution?
In some ways it is. I realised about halfway through the making of the record that I was inadvertently or even semi-consciously answering all the questions and uncertainty I had brewing on ‘Sometimes I Just Don’t Know’. That to me is a good thing.
What did the writing / creative process look like for you making this LP?
My approach to this record from the writing, recording and production side of this is a bit of a departure from my normal way of making an album. It was very much influenced by working with JJ Extremera, a brilliant music producer and artist from Barcelona, Spain. We would work closely together in developing and arranging my demos until we got it to a point where we felt it was strong enough to record a full-blown version. This was also special because I recorded this record between Barcelona and Sydney, with my Spanish touring band. This was a big dream and bucket list tick off from me as it has always been in my goals to make an album with my Spanish family.
“I heard her voice and new instantly that she was the right choice for ‘Smile Away’”
The new body of work sees you collaborating with some big names including Alice de Luis for 'Smile Away', how do you decide which tracks to bring a guest on to?
I always follow my instincts when choosing who I work with. My gut after over 20 years of making records hasn’t let me down so far. I discovered Alice through the son of JJ Extremera, who happened to be producing her first single. I heard her voice and new instantly that she was the right choice for ‘Smile Away’ as I always envisioned this tune as a classic boy/girl duet. Having both sides was very important to the narrative of the song’s love story.
Do you have a favourite track or one that is particularly special to you either becasue of its subject matter or how it came to be?
One that is extremely special to me is ‘Version of me’ as my 10 year old daughter was a guest singer on this. A very proud dad moment. All the tracks mean a lot to me but ‘Where you begin’ is another song that stands out to me as it was the song that made me realise that a) JJ and I were the right fit and b) it gave us confidence that we had something special brewing and a great start to the making of the album. We never looked back from there!
Are there plans to tour for the new album?
Absoloutely! I’m making more of an effort to play the album around Australia more over the next few months. I have a great band for the Australian shows and keen to bring these songs to the stage. I’ll also be touring through Spain in 2026 with my Spanish band and key players on ‘I See IT Now’. That is always one of the big highlights of this music trip I’m on and the folks of Spain have taken quite a liking to my music over the past 2 decades. So I’ll keep running with that!
“I get to record in an amazing city and a different environment to what I amused to here in Sydney”
The album was recorded in Barcelona, Spain, what are the advantages and disadvantages to creating this body of work overseas?
Well the advantages is that I get to record in an amazing city and a different environment to what I amused to here in Sydney. I get to use my Spanish Touring band who are tremendous musicians and have a true connection and respect to my music. The only disadvantage is the financial burden of having to go there but that’s all inconsequential once the master tapes are in your hands.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
I have been fortunate enough to work with fantastic photographers, film makers and design/visual artists, who have added so much to that creative side of my music. I’m constantly in awe of the great work they produce and the creative inspiration they give me. Those folks need all the props and recognition they deserve!
Do you have a message for the Bryan Estepa fans and supporters?
Thank you so much for the love, encouragement and support of myself and my music over the years. A lot of you have stuck around since the very beginning and I do not take any of that for granted. You guys give me more added purpose to keep making music and not feel like I’m in this alone. Keep a guy on this path without hesitation.
Album Launch Show - 2nd of August at the Django Bar in Marrickville
Interview by Michelle Symes
June 2025
